The Tourism & Transport Forum Australia (TTF) has welcomed the commencement of the first direct flight between Adelaide and mainland China as a significant shot in the arm for South Australia’s international visitor economy.

“For the first time Adelaide and South Australia have a direct path into the booming Chinese international visitor market and that will only pay dividends in more jobs and economic activity for the State,” said Margy Osmond, TTF CEO.

“Congratulations to Adelaide Airport, China Southern Airlines and the South Australia Government for the work that has been done into achieving this valuable link into what will shortly be Australia’s largest tourism market – China with over 200 million global travellers by 2020.

“The South Australia visitor economy has been growing strongly with the latest figures showing 430,000 international visitors (up 10 per cent) and $970 million in spending (up 19 per cent) in the 12 months to September 2016. Chinese visitors along contribute about $240 million to the South Australia visitor economy.

“Tourism is a super-growth sector for the Australian economy and South Australia is well positioned to tap into its full potential to generate thousands of new jobs and economic activity for the State over the coming decade.

“Today’s historic direct flights between Adelaide and Guangzhou is no doubt just the beginning of the boom for the South Australia visitor economy.”